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Authorities are working to bring a commercial fishing vessel to port after it ran aground on rocks in the Hauraki Gulf in the early hours of this morning.
The Chokyu Maru No.68, sailing under the flag of Japan, has been identified as the vessel involved and has 27 crew members on board.
No injuries have been reported, police said.
Speaking on behalf of the Harbourmaster, Auckland Transport’s media liaison said the vessel was heading into Auckland when it got into trouble at The Noises about 3.42am.
“We have not identified any oil spillage,” the liaison said.
The Chokyu Maru no.68 fishing vessel under tow at The Noises. Photo / Michael Blampied
Troubled vessel visible from Waiheke
“There are 27 crew [members] on board and they are all safe. The Harbourmaster’s team is onsite at the moment and two tug boats are on the way to remove the vessel.”
That was expected to take place about 1.30pm when it is high tide.
Residents on Waiheke Island have reported being able to see the vessel.
A view of the vessel that has run aground in the Hauraki Gulf overnight.
A local whose house looks north, towards the Hauraki Gulf, said: “In the bright sunlight [this morning], it is easy to see the vessel aground.”
He whipped out his Samsung cellphone and zoomed in on the boat to get a closer look, he said.
Members of the Harbourmaster, Coastguard and the Police Maritime Unit were quick to respond to the scene early this morning, in a bid to offer any help.
A member of another boat crew travelling nearby said they saw the fishing boat involved overnight.
”It’s come up on the rocks last night,” he told Newstalk ZB.
Police say they were notified that a commercial fishing vessel had run aground around 5.35am.
Late this morning, Sue Neureuter - custodian of The Noises - said the fishing vessel has since been refloated.
Neureuter understood there was damage to the bow of the vessel, but not the hull. She also thanked the authorities who responded to the incident.
AT said the vessel is being assessed for damage and, if given the all-clear, it will be able to resume its journey to Auckland.
The Chokyu Maru No.68 measures 48.19m in length, 8.6m wide and was built in 1988. Its port of registration is recorded as Muroto, Japan.
